What are the chances???

On Saturday, August 21st we had attended a wedding in Mio, MI.  Earlier in the week the both of us had expressed our aggravation with not finding a coach suitable to our needs (and wants) that was in a remotely local area.  Usually we try to avoid toll roads and expressways while travelling.  There is always more to see if you're off the path a bit.  

Travelling east on state highway M55 we had seen a style of coach that we were interested in on the side of the road, and FOR SALE even!!

From Got Booty

Immediately we turned around to stop and get a better look.  We were so excited, I'm not sure I even allowed the car to stop before throwing it into park.  Brandee climbs over the center console from the passenger side and into the ditch with me.  We both started to check out this new treasure, finding the door unlocked we decided to climb on in and have a closer look.  The previous owner has already began converting this bus into a motorhome.  I had been sitting in the drivers seat examining the controls and saw no ignition key? but there was a button labeled "Start" sooooo, of course I just had to push it.  Much to my surprise she fired up almost immediatly!!  Running pretty good even and after a bit of smoking the air system started to pressureize.  Wait a minute though! With no ignition switch, how do I shut this thing off?? Uh oh, and here comes the guy now.  

Not quite sure how he is going to take my trespassing I approach him happy and eager.. Yelling over the loud purring of the diesel engine, I learn that the property owner does not own this coach and instead of being upset with me invites the two of us in to the garage to check out his Mopar projects.  How cool is this I'm thinking.  Just one of the many Mopars he is working on is a Plymouth ?  which is tubbed, roll cage installed and a stroked 440 setting next to ready to install.  "Oh you gotta see my wife's car when she gets home too!" he tells us. lol

After calling the coach's owner David, who said he could meet us there in about a half hour, we decided to head into town (East Tawas) for lunch.  After a quick bite we returned to find David and his wife already there, engine running smoothly, and air system pressurized which is necessary because this coach has air ride and air suspension.  A quick ride down a few back country roads shows that the new air bags and tires under her really make a difference.  This 41 year old, 40 foot long jewel rides better than my car!!  To top it all off he may be interested in a trade too!!

After spending about three hours there we decided to get back on the road.  We are still quite a distance from home after all.  As our journey home is coming to and end I see clearance lights off in the distance which look very similar to the bus we have been playing with all day!!  Of course we turned around to get a better look and find  this old girl being tucked into the garage and another one all pretty setting in the driveway!  Reluctant to approach we just hang out in the yard for a minute.  After a minute a man emerged from the door looking a the two of us like WTF are these people doing?  After warming up to Larry by telling him our story of the day he starts telling us the story of how he used to ride this particular bus to school when he was a kid.  Larry (who also seems to be a Dodge fan) restores these buses back to original.  He has three of these prize pieces of road fun hidden here and is eager to share all the stories of them with us.  This man has probably forgotten more about these buses than I will ever know.  After a few hours touring Larry's treasures we jump back in the car and head for home.  Both of us anxious and smiling, we look back on the highlights of our day.  Knowing these events are not just coincidence we can't help but say to each other " What are the chances?"